The Saturday night games are about 2 minutes away from being over as I write this, and it looks like I’ll be cashing thanks to a late 40 yard TD run by Bishop Sankey. I was a little worried, some of my calls from yesterday didn’t do what I had hoped they would, but cashing is cashing, I’ll take it. Once again, I’m short on time so I’m going to be brief with the analysis, but rest assured the research is there. As always, be sure to check any last-minute news before lineups lock, Tyrell Williams was ruled out just before his game kicked off tonight and, of course, my pivot was Marquise Goodwin who ended up with exactly the same amount of points as Tyrell Williams — zero!
Let’s get to it…
Quarterbacks
Jeff Driskel (SF) vs HOU
I wasn’t sure if DraftKings was going to create a slate that included this game or not, but I’m glad they did because I like a few players in this game. As far as Driskel goes, this will be more of a volume play then it is an endorsement of Driskel. Colin Kaepernick is dealing with some shoulder fatigue and may not play. Incumbent starter Blaine Gabbert will likely see only a few series, leaving Thad Lewis and Driskel splitting the rest of the snaps. Both players can be viable today, but the 49ers already know what Thad Lewis is, they’ll want to see what the rookie can do.
A.J. McCaron (CIN) @ DET
Andy Dalton did not play a single snap in Week 1 of the preseason, and if he sees any snaps in this game it will only be for a series or two. McCaron played well in the  preseason opener and is further solidifying his place as the clear-cut No. 2 QB in Cincy, but he is far from a polished product and needs these preseason reps in case Dalton goes down again in the regular season.
Jimmy Garoppolo (NE) vs CHI
Garoppolo looked like a capable QB in the preseason opener going 11 for 18 and 168 yards. The Patriots need him to be as ready as they can get him, so they mine as well do it in before the games start to count. Look for him to play a little more than he did in last week’s game.
Running Backs
*Wendell Smallwood (PHI) @ PIT
Smallwood missed the opener and is already behind Kenjon Barner on the depth chart. If he wants the chance to be No. 3 on the Eagles opening day roster he needs to get on the field and perform. Check his status before the game, if he is limited in any way, pivot to Barner as the RB to own in Philly.
Daryl Richardson (PIT) vs PHI
I honestly forgot this guy was still in the league, and now potentially could serve as the No. 2 RB in Pittsburg behind DeAngelo Williams for the first four games. Fitzgerald Touissant is the favorite to take that spot, but if the preseason opener was any indication, Richardson will give him a good fight for it.
Love our content? Check out the GoingFor2 Live Podcast Network!
Zach Zenner (DET) vs CHI
The darling of last preseason had a decent start to the 2016Â version. He had 56 total yards in the game against the Bengals and will look to build on that this week with the Bears in town. I’m expecting similar usage from him this week.
George Atkinson (OAK) @ GB
After what he did last week (5 car 97 yds 2 TDs) the Raiders will have to give him a few more snaps this week to see what he can do. While I don’t expect a repeat performance, he should see double-digit touches, and we have already seen what he can do in the open field.
Wide Receivers
Laquon Treadwell (MIN) @ SEA
Treadwell is currently behind Charles Johnson on the depth chart, but I don’t expect that to last long. While he wasn’t otherworldly in the opener, he was solid, and it’s something he can build on as we progress through the preseason. I expect a few more targets going his way, and hopefully he’ll be on the field with Teddy Bridgewater for at least one series in this one.
Will Fuller (HOU) @ SF
Fuller is now the favorite to win the starting job next to DeAndre Hopkins as a result of his impressive camp thus far. Jalen Strong figures to give him the biggest challenge, and both of them could be good plays in this game, but I’m going to give the edge to Fuller.
Bruce Ellington (SF) vs HOU
Ellington has been invisible, to say the least, in his first few years in San Francisco, but by all accounts is having his best camp as a pro and is the favorite to win the slot role in Chip Kelly’s offense. The slot role has value in this offense and many are expecting a breakout season for him, but first he needs to prove he can do it in live action and not just in camp. The 49ers receiving corps is one of, if not the, worst in the NFL, so I would expect Ellington to see a lot of snaps with both the first and second team.
*Corey Coleman (CLE) vs ATL
Coleman didn’t play in the first preseason game and hopes to be ready by Thursday. I won’t waste much time with the analysis here, but he has the potential to put up huge numbers by preseason standards if he can get on the field.
Aldrick Robinson (ATL) @ CLE
The darling WR of Week 1, he was the only WR to go over 100 yards (pending the SF/Hou game) despite only catching three passes. I’m not predicting he will do it again, but I have to put him here out of principle, his Week 1 numbers can’t be overlooked.
Tight Ends
Vance McDonald (SF) vs HOU
I had a hard time finding anyone I liked at tight end and so far Vance McDonald is all I’ve been able to come up with. He is the favorite to get the starting spot for the 49ers, but he hasn’t done much in his career thus far to inspire confidence. I’ll be updating this as we get closer to Thursdays games, so if you don’t like McDonald, I’d suggest plugging in another tight end that’s not playing Sunday night and you can always switch him out as we get more information.
Defense
Houston Texans @ SF
The 49ers are bad, real bad, trust me, I’m a fan of the team. The Texans will have no trouble holding them in check.
Atlanta Falcons @ CLE
The Brown are bad, real bad, trust me… you get the point.
Check back later in the week as I plan to update these as news breaks.
*currently injured at the time this was published
[wysija_form id=”1″]ATTN Dynasty Commissioners: Do you want to do something cool for your league? How about a 1-hour live show dedicated to YOUR league? Team-by-team breakdowns, rankings, and more. For details and to book a show, visit: GoingFor2.com/plp.
